The Foundation was established in 2001 by the Swiss-born Canadian filmmaker, author and adventurer
Bernard Weber to contribute to the protection of the world’s human-built and natural heritage and to foster respect for the cultural diversity on our planet.
Fifty percent of net revenue raised by the New7Wonders Project is to be used to fund monument documentation and conservation efforts worldwide. One such project was completed in 2003, when a high-definition 3D model of the giant Bamiyan Buddha was created that enables the statue to potentially be rebuilt, should the Afghan people decide they wish to do so. The great statue of Buddha was destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. This New7Wonders Foundation project was featured in the Swiss Pavilion at the 2005 World Fair in Aichi, Japan, along with New7Wonders ballot boxes which allowed people to cast their votes in the New7Wonders campaign.
The Foundation is based at the Heidi-Weber-Museum in Zurich, Switzerland, an architectural landmark in itself - it is the last building designed by Le Corbusier, one of the most renowned artists and architects of the past century.
The first, successful chapter of New7Wonders drew to a close when the results of the world's first-ever global election were spectacularly announced in Lisbon on July 7, 2007 - 07.07.07. More than 100 million votes had been cast by citizens around the world using modern communications technology in this unprecedented global dialogue. The ceremony ended with the exciting launch of the current campaign: The New 7 Wonders of Nature!
For the 18 months preceding the Declaration gala in Portugal, people across the globe cast their votes for their favorites of the 21 New7Wonders finalists in the final stage of the campaign. These 21 finalists were announced January 1, 2006 in Zurich by Prof. Federico Mayor, President of the New7Wonders Panel of Experts. This illustrious panel had selected the finalists from the top 77 nominees—those which received the most votes from people worldwide in the preliminary voting stage.
You can join New7Wonders now. Become an official part of this dynamic community by registering as a New7Wonders Member.
Learn more
Project milestones:
Read what has happened since New7Wonders came to life in 1999.
The Seven Ancient Wonders:
Do you remember? The New7Wonders project started 2200 years ago ...
Bamiyan Buddha Project:
How New7Wonders wants to reconstruct the famous statue in Afghanistan.
Criteria for Candidacy & Rules:
The full criteria for the New 7 Wonders of the World Candidacy.
